field guide

January 8, 2009 mother's heart

Is it me?

Is it me, or do my children move faster when I get up on time?

Is it me, or do my boys behave better when I have a good night’s sleep?

Is it me, or are they more eager to say goodby to Mommy when I want a few extra hugs?

Is it me, or does Little Drummer Boy use more kind words when I speak softly?

Is it me, or does Squiggle say his words more clearly when I stand still?

Is it me, or does Baby Girl get more kisses when there’s room in my lap for two, or three?

Is it me, or do LDB and Squiggle share more when I play, too?

Is it me, or do they sing and dance more when I watch Dora from the bean bag?

Is it me, or is the drumming not as loud when I’m dancing?

Is it me, or does the house look less cluttered when I’m watching four grins?

Is it me, or do “outside voices” in the hallway get quieter when I hear giggles?

Is it me, or do my children go to sleep earlier when I don’t mind staying up late?

Is it me, or do they whine less when I smile?

Is it me, or does dinner get on the table at a better time when I’m listening to Hub?

Is it me, or does he help with the dishes more when I’m happy to do it myself?

Is it me, or does he stop work earlier when I’m interested in the job he’s doing?

Is it me, or are blogs and emails less urgent when I want to sing one more lullaby?

 

Sure enough, it’s me.

January 5, 2009 mother's heart

tiny messages . Cars, Rain and Manna

From Little Drummer Boy’s first driving to daycare “Good Morning Prayer” of 2009:

Dear God
Thank you for today.
Thank you for the sunshine [although it’s cloudy/drizzly today] and everything You have made.
Thank you for the cars that drive [in response to Bug’s insistence that we look for a bus going by?]
and the rain that pours
and the drops that pour
and manna…

I didn’t catch the rest because I was scrambling in my purse (while navigating the green arrow light) for a pen to write down the words of wisdom from my 3 1/2 year old…

Cars. Thank You, God, for the vehicles you park before us to get us to the place you want us to be. Thank You that You’ve continually kept the engine running on your plan while we go back in to take care of this and that.

Rain. Thank You, God, for the downpours that wash away the excess and the unnecessary–the stacked up clutter of our lives and spirits that slows us down as we get to where you want us to be. Thank You for nourishment disguised as storms, inducing the growth needed to put down roots where you want us to be.

Manna. Thank You, God, for shining the light on this day’s provision, this day’s step toward where you want us to be.  Thank You that enough is sweet like honey and ripe for savoring.  Thank You that though we are not yet where You want us to be, Your provision in the wandering is steadfast.

And, thank You for the countless bedtime Bible stories that have incorporated “manna” into my baby’s vocabulary. Thank You for for the sponge-like stage that calls such a word to his mind unexpectedly.  Thank You for the innocence found in the unlikeliest of teachers.

The tiny messages God continues to include with our gifts — 2 little joys of boys and 1 little jewel of a girl, each with open eyes, open ears, open hearts, and much to teach. “Behold children are a gift of the Lord…” (psalm 127:1)

December 25, 2008 twelve days

12th Day of Christmas: Lullaby for a Savior

SONG:
Close your eyes in the dark of this night
midst the rustling of angel flight,
under the stars I have set to illumine
Your first fleeting moments of being human.
Rest in the arms that You have created,
though divine thoughts for now are faded,
stilled by the moment of redemption begun,
covered with the swaddling of flesh and bone.

Sleep, my Beloved, in silent, trusting peace
knowing not the things yet to be.
But, somewhere in your soul, in deep infant thought,
may You embrace the plan in love I have wrought.

Hush now, my Son, the lips that one day
will teach my people and proclaim the Way.
Dry the tears that soon will flow free
for a generation with eyes that can’t see.
Still, dear One, the hands that years hence
will heal the blind, and lepers cleanse.
Rest, precious Child, the feet that will grow
to walk a hill, salvation to bestow.

Sleep, my Child, and let Your thoughts deepen,
for the dreams You are dreaming are memories of heaven –
Visions of glory, of light, of truth.
Time will reawaken the diety in You.

December 24, 2008 on faith, twelve days

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the heavens
the angels were silent in anticipation.
For centuries they had waited for such a special flight,
and now it would happen this very night.

In the throne room the Father talked with His Son
of dreams and desires and what was to come.
“My Son, I’ve loved them since breathing their life,
and for years they’ve suffered with sin and strife.
Now it’s time to offer them relief,
for the groan of their sorrow is more than I can take.”

“Oh, Father, I’ve begun to feel their yearning
even before I take my journey.
The weight of their burden is heavy on my back.
I can almost feel the sting of their attacks.
Inside me the sadness of leaving burns,
but, Father, I can bring them when I return.”

“Yes, we’ll be united with our bride.
She’ll no longer have a reason to hide.
And, you’ll return to me, this I know.
But now, my love, You must go.
Gabriel!  Come!  Assemble your band.
For the birth of My Son is now at hand.”

With the stroke of His hand He split the sky.
As He watched the departure He heaved a sigh,
for He knew the sin His Son would endure
and the punishment of death–His suffering was sure.
But, this night all of heaven would rejoice
as they hailed the mystery of the Master’s choice
to limit Himself to the form of a babe
to bring reunion with those He would save.
So as He dripped a star from His fingertips
praises rang from the angels’ lips,
but the Father was quiet, a tear on His cheek
from the painful price required for peace.
And, from the joy He saw in ages to come,
when all His children would join Him at home.

So this night before Christmas as you drift to sleep,
and He sends His hosts with protection and peace,
may you keep His love for you well in sight,
and Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

December 24, 2008 twelve days

11th Day of Christmas: Song of Fulfillment

SCENE:
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon… And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  And he came by the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou has prepared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. (Luke 2:25-32)

SYNTAX:
Fulfill.
to measure up to satisfy; to bring to an end, 
 Complete 

SONG:
For hundreds of years prophets foretold
that a Savior would come to save our souls.
He would be a king, mighty and strong.
Glory and power to Him would belong.
The government would rest on Him,
and He would deliver us all from sin.
In His kingdom sorrow would cease,
an everlasting Father, the prince of peace.

Today I’ve seen him, though just a babe,
the One, the Messiah who’s come to save.
My heart leaped within me when I saw the child,
the One I’ve been waiting for all my life.
Of all the accomplishments, my work, my faith,
my life’s greatest hope has been realized today.
And whatever hence my life may yield,
thank you that I could see your promise fulfilled.